What makes a great television interview guest?

That questions is best answered by first answering another question, What do TV producers look for?

 

If you have ever been through public speaking training you were probably taught the value of clear and direct delivery of your message. In a well rounded interview coaching program this idea is carried even further. The best public speaking training may never touch upon the importance of relating to an interviewer one on one. In an interview coaching program this is one of the keys you will learn.

Also, anyone looking to become known as a great TV interview guest needs to understand the role of the producer.  The producer needs to develop and deliver an interesting newscast or talk show.

The program needs to flow and engage viewers.  It also needs to make the host or interviewer look good.  Television is all about ratings.  If no one is watching, then low ratings, no advertising and the producer is out.

But if you can become a great TV interview guest, then producers will call you back time and time again. Great television interview guests share some common skills.  Let me share the five main ones with you.

 

The Five Skills Of Great Television Interview Guests

 

First, great guests know how to have clear delivery.  This means they are able to clearly deliver their message in a short time frame.  This is important since a talk show segment is 3-5 minutes long and a news report is only 1-3 minutes total—that’s both the guest and the interviewer speaking.

 

Second, A great television interview guest looks and acts comfortable in front of the camera.  No deer in headlights look or nervous mannerisms.  It’s knowing how to play to the host and the camera as well.

 

(During a TV interview, there are two audiences, the host and the audience watching on TV.  A good TV guest reacts to the host, a great guest gives to both the host and the TV audience. Once again this goes back to public speaking training, but is also  taught in any good interview coaching program.)

 

Third, great guests are adaptable.  Soundbites are a reality for delivery of messages today, but a great television interview guest is able to tie their message to current events or the theme of the show.

 

Fourth, a great guest is flexible and always ready.  Breaking stories, illness and other unexpected events mean opportunities. Great TV interview guests are ready to appear with short notice. Best of all, great TV television interview guests make the producers and themselves look good even on short notice.

 

 

Finally, and most important to producers: great television interview guests are prepared. They know their market and know how to reach their audience. Getting you prepared is the goal of your interview coaching program so take full advantage of this.

 

Remember, these producers can’t afford a dud performer, because then their viewers flip the channel to another station. Producers keep their jobs by having interesting shows.

 

Be an interesting guest who brings and keeps viewers and you will become not only a great TV interview guest, but a Treasured guest.